ALBERT CASPER

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Albert E. "Gene" Casper, 72, of Mounds died Wednesday, May 30, 2001, in a one-vehicle accident on Olive Branch Road near Mounds.

He was born April 20, 1929, in Kankakee, Ill.

Casper was a former riverboat pilot with Waterfront Services in Cairo, Ill. He attended First United Methodist Church and was a member of Mounds VFW Post.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Pat; four daughters, Rheta Bentley of Chaffee, Mo., Shirley McHarry of Ullin, Ill., Gail Bass of Barlow, Ky., Holly Goins of Mounds; five sons, Rick Casper of Olive Branch, Jerry and Albert Casper of Mounds, Robin Casper of Ray City, Ga., Chris Casper of Anna, Ill.; a brother, Norman Casper of Highland, Ill.; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son.

Friends may call at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo after 5 p.m. today.

Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. F. Jerry Herring officiating. Burial will be in Spencer Heights Cemetery.